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Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Chemical Engineering, BSChE

Chemical engineering combines chemistry with biology, mathematics, physics, and economics to solve problems. You’ll learn to develop safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly industrial processes and products. These include petroleum refining, materials processing, materials recycling, plastics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, paints, electronic components, and biotechnology.

Your Degree Plan

With a degree in Chemical Engineering, you can pursue employment in many high-tech areas, including materials, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Or you can go on to graduate school and professional programs, such as law, dentistry, and medicine.
Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Accelerated BS/MS in Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering offers the option to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in an accelerated time frame.

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

  • Students use the AVESTAR Center, a virtual chemical plant, to learn what chemical plants look like and how they are operated.
  • Our undergraduate program is recognized for its design curriculum.
  • “Analysis, synthesis, and design of chemical processes” (a nationally-used textbook) was written by WVU faculty who team-teach the course at WVU.
  • The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

Students are encouraged to participate in research from the freshman year on. Any student who wishes to work with a faculty member is able to do so. These students present posters on their research findings at the annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia.

Academic resources include:

  • Complete, up-to-date reference library with classic and modern texts covering all aspects of chemical engineering.
  • Modern, newly renovated undergraduate laboratory housing experiments in all areas of the common unit operations found in chemical engineering. Recently, new experiments have been added in the thermal/fluids area for the junior year.
Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:
Our undergraduate students can participate in both summer internships and full co-op programs, which allow you to gain professional work experience while earning a paycheck.

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or “capstone”) to demonstrate their research, communication, and critical thinking skills. Projects in the Chemical Engineering major have included:

  • Feasibility of Producing Value-Added Fuels and Chemicals from Heavy Cuts of Petroleum.
  • Feasible Routes for Producing Value-Added Chemicals from Ethane.
  • Market and Process Technology for Marcellus Shale Gas.
  • Techno-Economic Analysis of the Production of Liquid Fuels and Ethanol from Lignocellulosic Biomass.
  • Techno-Economic Evaluation of the Feasibility of Producing Diesel, Gasoline, Jet Fuel, and Electricity from Coal.
  • Utilization of Shale Gas for Higher-value Chemical Production.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Chemical Engineers

Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $121,860

Possible Job Titles: Chemical Engineer, Engineer, Process Engineer, Scientist

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Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

Median Salary: $121,440

Possible Job Titles: Biofuels Production Manager, Plant Manager, Production Coordinator, Production Manager

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Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $106,950

Possible Job Titles: Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Technician (Biomedical Tech), Research Engineer, Process Engineer

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Materials Engineers

Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $108,310

Possible Job Titles: Materials Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Metallurgical Engineer, Metallurgist

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Health and Safety Engineers

Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers.

Median Salary: $109,660

Possible Job Titles: Product Safety Engineer, Safety and Health Consultant, Safety Engineer, System Safety Engineer

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Sales Engineers

Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $121,520

Possible Job Titles: Business Development Engineer, Product Sales Engineer, Sales Engineer, Technical Marketing Engineer

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Where our graduates work

  • Heavy chemicals
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Polymers
  • Food industry

Areas of graduate study

Chemical Engineering graduates have been admitted to graduate programs, as well as professional schools in medicine, law, and dentistry.

WVU programs to consider:

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Chemical Engineering major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Engineering Requirements

You must meet the following requirements:

  • High School GPA: 2.5
  • ACT Math: 22
  • SAT Math: 540

Engineering Requirements for Test Optional Students

You must meet the following requirements:

  • High School GPA: 3.0

Requirements for Engineering Technology

You must meet the following requirements:

  • High School GPA: 2.5

To be admitted to WVU’s Engineering Technology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU’s first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2025-26 academic year.

 

Tuition and Aid

How much does Chemical Engineering at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Chemical Engineering, BSChE is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Request Info

Want to know more about Chemical Engineering at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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